Congress requests review of new Parliament design after leak.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a swipe at the government regarding the issue, criticizing its handling and calling for accountability. He questioned the quality and planning of the new Parliament construction, emphasizing that such incidents reflect poorly on the administration. Yadav’s remarks align with the broader opposition narrative demanding transparency and stringent review processes to avoid future mishaps. His comments highlight the political contention surrounding the new Parliament project, as opposition leaders use the incident to question the government’s competence and priorities. Yadav’s stance underscores the need for rigorous scrutiny and responsible governance.
New Delhi: Congress’ deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, on Friday called for a comprehensive review of the design, construction, and facilities within the new Parliament building. He emphasized the necessity of incorporating the views of all major political parties in this process to ensure the building meets the highest standards of Indian parliamentary democracy.
Gogoi highlighted the importance of the Parliament building as a symbol of Indian democracy and asserted that significant work is required to align it with the greatest traditions of Indian parliamentary practices. There is much to be done in order for it to reflect the greatest traditions of Indian parliamentary democracy.” Gogoi made these remarks in a post on X.
He further stressed that the Parliament belongs to the people of India, not to any single party or individual, and expressed hope that the views of all major parties would be considered in due time. “The Parliament belongs to the people of India and not to one party or one individual.
Gogoi’s comments followed a significant incident involving a water leak in the new Parliament building. Opposition leaders had seized upon this incident to criticize the Modi government, contrasting the new building’s issues with the perceived sturdiness of the old Parliament building. On Thursday, Congress’ Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore posted a video on X showing water leaking from the roof in a lobby of the new Parliament building, with a bucket placed to collect it. Tagore also submitted a notice for moving an adjournment motion to discuss the issue in the Lok Sabha.
In his post, Tagore remarked, “Paper leakage outside, water leakage inside.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also joined in the criticism, taking a swipe at the government over the incident. The opposition’s comments have intensified scrutiny on the new Parliament building’s construction and design, raising questions about the adequacy of its planning and execution.
In response to the controversy, the Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a statement explaining the cause of the water leak. According to the statement, a minor water leak occurred due to the displacement of an adhesive material used to fix glass domes over the lobby of the building. The Secretariat assured that corrective measures were taken immediately.
The Secretariat also emphasized that the issue was detected promptly and resolved, ensuring no further leakage.
The heavy rains in the national capital region on Wednesday had caused waterlogging in several parts of the city, exacerbating the situation. The incident has sparked a broader debate about the resilience and reliability of the new Parliament building, with critics pointing to the need for thorough reviews and potential redesigns to prevent similar issues in the future.
The call for a review by Gaurav Gogoi and other opposition leaders reflects a growing concern about the quality and functionality of the new Parliament building. As the symbol of Indian democracy, the Parliament building is expected to embody the highest standards of architecture, safety, and functionality. The recent incident has underscored the importance of rigorous quality control and adherence to best practices in construction.
In light of these developments, the government and the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), responsible for the construction of the new Parliament building, may face increased pressure to address the concerns raised by the opposition and ensure that any deficiencies are promptly and effectively rectified. The call for a comprehensive review and the involvement of all major political parties in the process could pave the way for more transparent and accountable governance in the construction and maintenance of such critical national infrastructure.
The new Parliament building, part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, was intended to provide a modern and more spacious facility for parliamentary proceedings. However, incidents like the recent water leak threaten to overshadow the project’s objectives and achievements, highlighting the need for continuous oversight and improvement.
As the debate continues, it remains crucial for all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure that the new Parliament building truly reflects the aspirations and values of Indian democracy. This includes not only addressing immediate issues like the water leak but also undertaking long-term measures to enhance the building’s resilience and functionality, thereby ensuring that it stands as a testament to India’s democratic heritage for generations to come.
The incident has also brought to the fore the broader challenges associated with large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in terms of quality assurance and risk management. Moving forward, it will be essential for the government, construction agencies, and oversight bodies to learn from this experience and implement more stringent checks and balances to prevent similar occurrences in future projects. By doing so, they can help restore public confidence in the government’s ability to deliver on its promises of modern, efficient, and reliable public infrastructure.